KJ Costello or Tommy Stevens

[MSUDC11]

Who is/was the bigger disappointment as a grad transfer QB in your eyes?

Obviously different sets of circumstances with both, but I think it's an interesting discussion considering this is the second year in a row we've brought in a grad transfer QB and after promising early returns it has gone south in a hurry. KJ's early returns were more promising than Tommy's, but I would say his fall from grace has been bigger too.

I'm actually of the opinion that when healthy, Tommy wasn't nearly as bad as some remember him to be, he just couldn't stay healthy at all. He did have a better o-line than KJ currently has, so I can't imagine how he would've held up with this year's o-line.

I don't think there were outrageously high expectations for either guy coming in, but neither are currently held in high regard by our fans.

 

[missouridawg]

Yes

 

[Russ Wheeler]

Costello, for multiple reasons. Multi-year starter who was like a 4 star coming out of high school, who Leach supposedly knew so he was hyped up to be a guy that was a sure thing in this offense. Then you had the Minshew stuff in the background, not to mention it was said that Costello could have went pro early. And on the OLs, no, I would not say Stevens had a better one - they both are pretty good on paper. The coaching is what has been horrific. Turns out, we may as well have just gone youth movement from the very beginning so this was all just a waste. Same for Kylin Hill, he should have just went pro.

Stevens never had that hype. He was just a stopgap because a 3 year starter had went pro. Of course there was an expectation that he could run Moorhead's offense, and he did, until he got hurt. Of course the wheels were already set in motion for this whole Moorhead train to crash the year before that.

But both of these transfers ended up screwing over the presumed next guy up (Keytaon and Shrader) in their respective years. A guy in both instances who had endeared themselves to the fanbase. It's really amazing how many mistakes MSU can make at times. I hope both Hill and Costello can still find their way into the NFL.

 

[dawgman42]

View attachment 18343

 

[Bullldawg78]

This is like asking how you would like to die by burning at the stake or disembowelment?

 

[Msubulldogfan1]

No

 

[FQDawg]

...not to mention it was said that Costello could have went gone pro early.

Same for Kylin Hill, he should have just went gone pro.

Sorry. But "could have went" is a personal pet peeve.

 

[shotgunDawg]

I'm tired of Grad transfer QBs with an injury history.

Bringing a guy from another conference with an injury history, to the SEC where they'll be hit more than they ever have been is just a terrible combo.

If we take another grad transfer QB, I'd rather it be an SEC player that just out of a starting spot. That's what Arkansas got with Franks. An SEC player, that knew how to win in the SEC and understands the physicality of the league

 

[GloryDawg]

I have a feeling Rogers will be the buy going forwards.

 

[MSUDC11]

I'm tired of Grad transfer QBs with an injury history.

Bringing a guy from another conference with an injury history, to the SEC where they'll be hit more than they ever have been is just a terrible combo.

If we take another grad transfer QB, I'd rather it be an SEC player that just out of a starting spot. That's what Arkansas got with Franks. An SEC player, that knew how to win in the SEC and understands the physicality of the league

Worth mentioning that Franks lost his starting job at Florida because of injury too.

If a QB is grad transferring there is usually a reason for it. The Russell Wilson type guys who are clear cut starters at one school and transfer to another school without any injury or disciplinary history are very rare. And hedging your bets on a career backup is a big gamble too.

 

[MSUSaint15]

I felt Tommy was performing well until he hurt his shoulder against USM. I felt he loss some accuracy and was afraid to throw as much against better defenses, so he tried to run more and became predictable.

I feel KJ is a pro style quarterback that has been taught to read through multiple progressions. This offense, while it has multiple routes on every play, comes down to three reads: 1. The receiver going long is open and you throw it to him. 2. The underneath receiver is open and you throw it to him. 3. You check down to the back -or- run and get what yardage you can.

KJ has poor ball security in the pocket, holding the ball with only one hand on almost every play. He also struggles throwing to his left which eliminates 1/3 of the field. He's also trying to go "yard" on every play, instead of taking what the defense gives him. It's like a batter in baseball that falls in love with the long ball and swings for the fences on every pitch instead of batting to get on base. All that plus he's hesitant to run himself is where our struggles start.

 

[RocketDawg]

Yes.

 

[RocketDawg]

Tommy was hurt, but I'm not sure KJ is fully healthy. He's looked totally different since the LSU game.

 

[RockKickinSandPoundinSOB]

Costello for sure. Tommy Stevens I feel like would have been pretty good with a competent coaching staff.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Neither were ready for the speed of SEC defenses, especially DEs.

The other conferences will tell you there is no difference but they only occasionally face them, not most every weekend.

 

[was21]

Yes

 

[MSUDC11]

Costello for sure. Tommy Stevens I feel like would have been pretty good with a competent coaching staff.

Now that you mention it, Stevens could’ve been a weapon in a Mullen offense. He was a good runner and a better passer than QB’s like Relf or Fitz.

 

[patdog]

Anyone whose ever coached in the SEC or against a top half SEC team will tell you it's just different going against an SEC defense. Even now that the offenses are taking over the conference.

 

[tribaldawg]

I felt Tommy was performing well until he hurt his shoulder against USM. I felt he loss some accuracy and was afraid to throw as much against better defenses, so he tried to run more and became predictable.

I feel KJ is a pro style quarterback that has been taught to read through multiple progressions. This offense, while it has multiple routes on every play, comes down to three reads: 1. The receiver going long is open and you throw it to him. 2. The underneath receiver is open and you throw it to him. 3. You check down to the back -or- run and get what yardage you can.

KJ has poor ball security in the pocket, holding the ball with only one hand on almost every play. He also struggles throwing to his left which eliminates 1/3 of the field. He's also trying to go "yard" on every play, instead of taking what the defense gives him. It's like a batter in baseball that falls in love with the long ball and swings for the fences on every pitch instead of batting to get on base. All that plus he's hesitant to run himself is where our struggles start.

Two thoughts. I honestly don't think KJ has the ability to read through multiple progressions. I'm honsetly not even sure he has the ability to follow one progression.

As far as going "yard", he has shown that he is capable of throwing multiple interceptions at close range.

 

[Shmuley]

Thank you.